9th Pakistan Army Team Spirit Exercise Concludes at Kharian
By Bilal Haider :
he 9th edition of the International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition concluded on Sunday at Kharian, marking the end of a six-day multinational military exercise aimed at strengthening operational cooperation among friendly countries.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the closing ceremony was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, who was the chief guest on the occasion.
The PATS competition is a 60-hour continuous patrolling exercise designed to enhance professional military skills through the sharing of tactical knowledge, operational experience, and modern battlefield practices. The exercise was held from February 5 in the semi-mountainous terrain of Punjab, offering a realistic operational environment for participating teams.
Over the years, PATS has gained international recognition as a highly competitive and prestigious military engagement, focusing on professional excellence, joint learning, and military diplomacy. The forum continues to play an important role in building trust, cooperation, and interoperability among armed forces of participating nations.
This year, military teams from 19 countries took part in the competition, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United States, and Uzbekistan. Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand attended the exercise as observers.
In addition, 16 teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy participated, while the Pakistan Air Force joined as observers.
Addressing the ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff praised all teams for demonstrating high levels of professionalism, physical endurance, tactical skills, and mental resilience. He stressed that multinational military exercises are essential for improving collective readiness and adapting to the evolving nature of modern warfare.
Reaffirming the core values of the Pakistan Army, the army chief highlighted the importance of “character, courage, and competence,” stating that these qualities continue to define Pakistani soldiers, especially in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
At the conclusion of the event, awards were presented to the top-performing teams. Defence attachés and international observers also attended the ceremony and commended Pakistan Army for the high standards of organization and professionalism displayed throughout the competition.
During his visit, the army chief also observed various training activities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Pabbi, including a demonstration of a newly established tactical simulator. He appreciated the efforts of the troops and technical staff and emphasized the growing importance of simulator-based training to complement traditional field exercises.
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